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The architecture of the more advanced design of the BoA style than the BoE style lends itself to a much higher learning curve. In BoE, you have one compact file all done with nodes. In BoA, you have lots of little files all with their own scripts. Although the BoA model is more desirable from a software designer standpoint, I feel it is less so for a general scenario design tool. An appropriate compromise would have been something that would read in the relevant files as needed. Users could script with traditional BoE style nodes, but a more advanced user could customize the script. In the end, Blades of Avernum forces the designer to keep track of lots of little compartments and such. Blades of Exile's biggest strength, I feel, was its compactness and ability to write a scenario with very little effort. I think something such as a Blades Editor could work in the future if attached to a much larger game. One way to implement this is to hard code in the game a maximum town number or zone the player could enter without registering. Additionally, only the default game would be accessible so user scenarios would not be playable. To summarize, I see two problems with the BoA model: 1) Too spread out of an interface, needs to be compacted for ease of use. Theoretically, this could be done for the BoA Editor with much effort. 2) A suboptimal marketing strategy of one small playable scenario. Big games tend to make the bucks.

I think simplicity is a virtue with the spell library. Although I would like to see a greater number of scripted monster special spells.

I tend to hold on to them, although I'm willing to bet a few of the earlier ones had outlived their purpose by Chapter 4.

I agree that the registration barrier was probably a killer just like the Tomb of Dhahis-Bok in Exile 2. Had I been a new user VoDT would hardly have impressed me enough to buy a new game if I had no idea what BoA was all about. The idea of releasing the source code is an interesting one. On one hand, the community could pick things up and fix bugs and add things as needed. On the other, it would effective kill all sales. Does it make business sense? To first order, no. However, as pointed out, the sales are pretty small as is. Also, this does create a sort of free advertising for the older games as well. Depending on your perspective, it may actually be a good idea to release it.

The main quest, you have the choice as to whether to kill Rentar, let her escape, or convince her to go back to her people for judgment. Canon seems to be that Rentar dies at the end. The Darkside Loyalist leader, the optional side quest, escapes.

Sometimes death is the best thing for a character's development. Let them become history.

I think the other two may be filler, but one of them is important on that panel.

This panel can affect the final parts of the game. If you've talked to the right people, you will have a clue what to do here.

I think giving it a higher HP gain (not as high as a Servile) and perhaps bonus resistances to the usual nasty things.

As a caveat, mechanics suggestions are more likely to be used. I'd stay away from any specific plot suggestions, you're almost certainly wasting poor electrons.

Quote: I mean, if you worked for a US Senator, you would never say "there are 50 of us." Be that there are 100 US senators (2 for each of the 50 states) I would hope none of them would say that.

Actually he did make the Titan and all sorts of other stuff. An interesting theory.

I will concur, this game was much enjoyed. I know Jeff put in a lot of effort, but it was well worth it.

I do hope Ghaldring survives if/when a next game is made. I liked the way he was introduced in this game, and would like to see his character played out a little bit more.

This makes the assumption on the play style that you would use a strategy where you have multiple creations.

Worst case, hit shift-d and type exitzone, you will end up back at the Southforge.

I don't believe there is an Ornk canister in this game, but I could be mistaken.

The Chapters are as follows: 1) Forsaken Lands 2) Illya Province 3) Fens of Azipath 4) Burwood Province 5) Grayghost Mountains

Yes, I've had a very busy day today. I'll get things out either later today or sometime tomorrow.

The deadline is today in board time which, I believe, is set to PST unless someone changes it.

So Kel, is Exodus going to be entered in the contest?

I'm pretty sure they're fodder for dramatic effect based on Greta's dialogue when you enter the Citadel.

In all honesty, if people really need help they can just come here anyway. An advantage of the hintbook is to have a paper copy of things for quick reference. Also, it has those pretty good maps too that I don't think anyone has put online.

Luck does appear to help you avoid dying when getting an otherwise critical hit, I've noticed. When I used my character with high luck, there were many times I was boarderline on whether a shot should kill me and I was left with 1 HP. It could be a coincidence, but my other low luck PC didn't get such benefits as often.

Yes, you could and I put it in as an "invited" entry. You can, of course, decline it if you want to.